Apparatus for assembling receptacle closures and seals



June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1950 M3 W 1. Jr b w amm /w m Mm u z NM wN June 1953 E. A. WILCKENS El AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 50, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 awe/whom film A. Wi ckens (1/70/1765 C. fifoj] A MI MQZ/MW June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 30, 1950 13 sheets-sheet 5 6/) dries 6. 52 271] June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS El A L 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed Mrch 30, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Eibc A. Wilckens E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS.

June 9, 1953 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 50, 1950 x M w l oz 6% y n m 2 o w 5 x- M! w 7. w/ w a .4 9 6 7 I a A M m i E: be A Wzlckens 1 MW wag MW June 9, 195 3 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 50, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 amen Mom if i A. W z'ickcns g2: Chef/"[55 C. 52 0]] A TI'ORNE vs June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE cLo'suREs AND SEALS Filed March so, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 Giza/"Zea 6.5701] W, 1 MM A TJ'ORNE Y5 J1me 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Eibc A. Wz'JCkens 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 C/zdrjes C. fi'ioJZ Filed March 50, 1950 ArToRA/Evs June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS 13 sheets-"sheet 9 Fild March 30, 1950 Ill 7 .G 5 1 G 1 M m EibeAWV'z'lcliens Charles C2 Stall Attorneys June 9, 1953' E. A. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 30, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Z'ibeA-Vli'lckens%*{ Charles CStoll Attorney:

June 9, 1953 E. A. WILCKENS ET AL APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 30, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 .QJJAHJ...

Ez'c A. MYckens gi' Charles C. 5 2 0.

ArroR/myd June 9, 1953 E.UA. WILCKENS ET AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR-ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 50, 1950 1a Sheets-Sheet 12 ['zbe A. Wijckens 4 Cf) drles C. 550]] June 9, 1953 w c r AL 2,641,297

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEPTACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Filed March 30, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 gwve/wtow Eibc A. Wi/ckcns 6/26/1 65 C. 5?'0]] ATTORNEYS Patented June 9, 1953 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING RECEP- TACLE CLOSURES AND SEALS Eibe A. Wilckens and Charles C. Stoll, Baltimore, Md., assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application March 30, 1950, Serial No. 152,866

35 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling in receptacle closures, such as bottle and jar caps, seals, such as ring gaskets of the type usually made of rubber or rubber composition. In the past, such rings have been inserted in the caps by hand, with resulting relatively high labor costs.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will do this work entirely automatically, at a high rate of speed, in an efficient manner, and with a minimum of expense.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which will handle a continuous line of caps, delivered thereto by a suitable chute from a cap delivering apparatus of known type; which will successively take the ring gaskets from a stack, apply adhesive to their lower surfaces and deposit them successively in the continuously moving line of caps; and which will subject the rings and caps to heat and pressure for a substantial period of time, as they move along a predetermined path, to set the adhesive.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for delivering caps successively to the cap receiving elements associated with a main dial in the machine, where the succeeding operations are performed.

Another object is to provide improved means for separating the ring gaskets from the lower end of a stack of gaskets and for depositing the same successively in accurate position within the caps on the main dial, as the caps move past an assembly position.

Another object is to provide improved means for applying adhesive to the surfaces of the ring gaskets, between the time when they are separated from the stack and when they are deposited in the caps as noted above.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for rendering the ring separating, handling and adhesive applying means in-' operative in the event that a cap is not present in position on the dial to receive a ring gasket.

Still another object is to provide improved means for applying heat and pressure to the caps and the rings, after the rings have been inserted in the caps, to effect setting or drying of the adhesive, so that the caps with the rings secured therein may be delivered from the machine and handled, without danger of dislodgment of the rings.

Another object is to provide improved means for handling the caps, for shifting them from the position on the dial where the rings are in- 2 serted, into operative relation to the heating and pressing devices, and for shifting them from the latter devices to a position of discharge, after the drying operation has been completed.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description of certain embodiments of the invention, shown for purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus, with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation and vertical section, showing the drive for the dial and drive for the cap feed, the ring feed and the glue applicator;

Figure 2a is a fragmentary rear elevation on the same scale as Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the cap in-feed wheel and associated parts;

Figure 4 is a section, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3, with the cap in-feed wheel and certain other parts omitted;

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 4; v Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail, taken on line 6--6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a substantially horizontal section on line 1-1 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is an elevation and section, taken on line 8--8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a section and elevation taken on line Ill-l0 of Figure 7, showing the angularly adjustable connection between the cap feed wheel hub and its driving gear;

Figure 11 is an elevation and cross-section with certain parts broken away, showing the ring separating and in-feed assembly, the adhesive applying mechanism and related parts;

Figure 12 is a section substantially along line l2-I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale, showing one of the ring handling heads;

Figure 14 is a detailed view, showing a suction delivery passage which may be associated with the head of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a section and plan view, taken on line I 5-l5 of Figure 11, showing the ringsupporting fingers or blades;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on a plane at right angles to the plane of Figure 12, at the lower end of the stack of rings, showing one of the heads in the act of picking off a ring from the lower end of the stack;

Figure 1'7 is a similar view showing the stack support and associated parts in the raised or inoperative position;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary elevation looking from the rear of Figure 17, substantially on line Il ll of Figure 12;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary section taken substantially on line l9l9 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is an elevation and partial section of a cap feeler mechanism;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the ring supporting chute taken substantially on line 21-2! of Figure 17;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary elevation taken on a plane behind the ring inserting wheel, at the assembly and transfer zone;

Figure 23 is a section on line 2323 of Figure 22, showing one of the heating and pressing assemblies in the cap receiving position;

Figure 24 is a similar view showing the relation of parts, after the cap has been received;

Figure 25 is an inverted horizontal section, taken on line 25-25 of Figure 23;

Figure 26 is a section and bottom plan view of the pressure applying head, taken on line 26---26 of Figure 24;

Figure 27 is a sectional view and elevation, taken on a plane behind that of Figure 22 and somewhat to the left thereof, substantially on line 21-2? of Figure 23;

Figure 28 is a plan view of the portion of the machine shown in section and elevation in Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a fragmentary section on line 29-29 of Figure 28;

Figure 30 is a fragmentary section of the receiving end of the discharge chute;

Figure 31 is a section and elevation of an adhesive applying mechanism and a preferred form of drive therefor;

Figure 32 is a section on line 32-42 of Figure 31;

Figure 33 is a sectional view, on line 33*33 of Figure 31, showing a preferred form of overrunning clutch for driving the glue applying roller;

Figure 34 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of a portion of the inside surface of the main dial of the machine, laid out in planar form, with the ring inserting station shown at the left thereof;

Figure 34a is a continuation of Figure 34 at the left end of the latter, showing the cap transfer station and the cap in-feed station;

Figure 35 (Sheet 1) is a section on line 35-455 of Figure 1, showing one of the dial supporting rollers;

Figure 36 is a front elevation and partial section of a modified form of cap detector mechanism;

Figure 37 is a section on line 3'l--3'I of Fi ure 36; and

Figure 38 is a view similar to Figure 19, showing the modified, mechanical mechanism for raising the ring stack supporting mechanism to the inoperative position in the absence of a cap in position to receive a ring.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings has been designed to assemble so-called slip rubber rings in continuous-thread, screw caps, but it must be understood that the invention is not limited to operation with caps of this type or to ring-like gaskets, since many features of the invention have wide application and may be used in connection with other types of caps and other types of gaskets, including overall liners, spot liners and rings of other materials.

The machine includes a main, stationary frame [0 made up of an annular back plate II and an annular front plate [2, both terminating in floor-engaging feet 13 and M, the two plates being connected by a generally cylindrical rim made up of a plurality of arcuate sections [5a, I51), I50, and l5e, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 2a.

The back plate H has welded to its radially inner edge, a forwardly projecting strip II, which may be made up of a plurality of sections. Secured to the forward edge of the strip, as by welding, is a supplemental back plate It having a substantially semi-circular lower portion lfib and an arcuate, upwardly extending marginal portion I60, defining a substantially semi-circular opening. -Suitable reinforcing strips 16d and We may be welded to the rear face of the plate portion 18b and to the strip H.

The plate portion lfib is provided with a plurality of apertures, to the margins of which arcuate portions of the strip H are welded, as indicated at Ha, llb, He, and Ild, to provide chambers projecting rearwardly from the supplemental back plate I6.

At four spaced points around the circumference of the rim I5, housings (8 are provided for roll shafts iii, the housings being made up of plates lBa and {8b, welded to the front and back plates 12 and l l and to the arcuate plate l5a etc., and by suitable covers 180.

Each roll shaft I9 (Figure 35, Sheet 1) may be secured by bolts 2! and washers 22 in appropriate openings in the front and rear plates l2 and H. A roller 23 journalled by suitable ball bearings on each shaft engages and supports a circular rail 24, fixed upon the outer periphery of a main dial casting 25. The dial includes a substantially cylindrical, annular central web 26, front and rear radially inwardly extending flanges 21 and 28, and a radially outwardly extending flange 29, having its outer, circular edge 39 in close proximity to the inner circular edge 22 of the front plate 12. The rear flange 28 has a shouldered rear face to which is secured a large internal ring gear 3|, in close proximity to the front surface of the rear plate H, with the inner ends of the teeth shielded throughout most of the circumference of the gear by the forwardly projecting strip Mia, as best shown in Figures 2, 2a and 35. Thus, the main dial 25 and the ring gear 3| are supported by the four rollers 23, for rotation in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis.

On the outer surface of the main web 26, the dial 25 carries three annular rings 32, 33, and 34, insulated therefrom by a layer of suitable dielectric material 35 and each electrically connected to a plurality of suitable binding posts 36, 31, and 33 for purposes hereinafter described.

The inwardly projecting flanges 21 and 28 of the main dial support a plurality of axially elongated shallow channel members 40, having cap receiving bottoms 4 l, a leading edge flange 42 and a trailing edge flange 43, the latter being topped by a hardened metal strip 44 to make it project radially inwardly beyond the other flange. As indicated in Figures 34 and 34a, each cap receiving channel member 40 has a length in excess of three cap diameters, so that throughout at least a portion of the path of revolution of each member, three caps may be accommodated side by side, the caps being shifted lengthwise of the channels from the front, receiving end tothe rear, delivery end.

The caps are delivered to the machine by a cap feed assembly indicated generally at 45in Figure 1 and shown in detail in Figures 3-10. A cap feed wheel 46 is journalled by suitabl bearings upon a shaft 41 carried by a hub 48, bolted to the rear face of the rear frame member II. The wheel has a rearwardly extending hub 49, flanged outwardly at its rear end as at 50, where a ring gear 5| is secured by bolts 52. The gear is preferably composite and includes an annular, back-lash take up section 53, adjustably connected thereto by bolts 54. Gear 5I meshes with the large in-, ternal ring gear 3| and derives rotation therefrom. As indicated in Figure 10, bolts 52 extend through elongated openings 55 in the flange 50, so

that the angular position of the gear relative to,

the cap feed wheel may be adjusted.

A plurality of pins 56 project radially from the circumference of the wheel 46, for movement in a path substantially tangential to the path of movement of the cap receiving channels secured to the main dial. A cap in-feed chute 51 delivers a line of caps in inverted position, with their tops down and their skirts projecting upwardly, to a bracket 56 having a lower arcuate surface 56 bolted to the outer face of a casting 60 (Fig. 4), carried by the plate portion I6 of the.

rear frame member II. Adjacent its upper end, the bracket carries a pair of wing members 6 I 62, pivoted at their upper ends upon posts 63, 64 and interconnected by a tension spring 65. The inwardly turned lower ends of the wings resist the downward movement of the liner caps under the influence of gravity, but are capable of swinging outwardly to permit a cap to pass, when one of the pins 56 on the circumference of the wheel 46 engages the insid of the outwardly facing skirt thereof.

' Suitable lateral flanges or strips 66, 6'! guide the caps in their movement along the arcuate section of the bracket, and spring pressed plates 68 may be provided to retard the downward movement ofthe caps as pulled along by the ins.

- At the upper end, the cap chute is provided with an outer guard plate 10 supported in spaced relation above the undersurface of the chute by a plurality of collars II, mounted on suitable bolts I2, the plate being cut away along its side edges to accommodate the inwardly bent ends of fingers BI and 62. Below the guard plate I is a safety gate "I3, fast on a pin I4 journalled in the flanges of the chute 58 and having a tors on spring I surrounding its outwardly projecting end, and urging th gate upwardly, movement in this direction being limited by a downwardly projecting lip I6, underlying the chute, as shown in Figure 5. Thus, in the event of a jam, gate 13 may swing downwardly against the force of spring 15.

It will be understood that, as the feed wheel 46 rotates, in timed relation and at the same peripheral speed as the named dial, caps are successively picked up by the pins, moved downwardly beyond the fingers 6| and 62, which swing outwardly to permit this movement, and are deposited successively in the cap receiving channels 40 at the front ends thereof, as indicated in Figure 7, the tops of the caps and the adjacent skirt portions being disposed between the'ribs 42 and 43 thereof. The caps I00 are deposited in the position indicated at a in Figure 54a. Adjacent the path of movement of the dial is a fixed guide member 80, having an angularly dlsposed entering face BI, and constituting the inwardlyturned extension of amounting plate 82, secured to the front face of the frame plate I2, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. The guide shifts the cap inwardly from the position a (Figure 34a) to the position b, and in which position the caps travel almost completely around the path of revolution of the dial, until the rings are inserted and the caps shifted to positions below the heating and pressingassemblies, as hereinafter described.

Projecting over the path of movement of the caps in the front ends of the channels is an inwardly extending, arcuate guide plate 85, which may be made up of a plurality of sections, if desired, and which is supported-by a plurality of brackets 66, secured to the front face of the main frame member I2. The guide plate maintains the caps in the channels, as they pass upwardly and around, during the-revolution of the main dial, and until they are shifted rearwardly in the channels, to be engaged by the heating and pressing assemblies hereinafter described.

. The slip rubber rings are separated from a stack, coated with adhesive and deposited in the caps by the mechanism indicated generally at in Figure 1, and shown in detail in Figures 11-21 and 31-33. Referring first to Figures Hand 12, a ring feed wheel casting 9| is journalled on suitable bearings on a stationary shaft 92, supported in a rearwardly extending hub 93, bolted to the rear face of the frame plate I6. The ring feed wheel includes a central hub 94 having a rear flange 95, to which a gear 96 is secured, in mesh with the large internal ring gear 3|, rotatable with the main dial. The forward end of the ring feed wheel is outwardly flanged and laterally turned as at 91, to provide a peripheral rim having a plurality of circular openings 98 therein, surrounded by substantially square flat surfaces 99, upon which the ring handling heads I05 are mounted by means of suitable bolts.

Each ring head assembly comprises a centrally apertured, substantially square base plate I06 having an outwardly projecting cylindrical wall I01, in which is mounted a head I08 having an outer face provided with a plurality of parallel slots I09 and a central aperture III]. A downwardly projecting stem III is clamped in the central aperture in the plate I06, against a shoulder I I2, by a bolt I I3 extending through the reduced lower end of the aperture I I0 as best shown in Figures 12 and 13. Thus, the base I06, the head I06 and the stem III are rigidly mounted upon the wheel.

Slidably mounted on the stem I I I is a depending sleeve I I4 carrying at its upper, flanged end II5, a plate II6, supporting a circumferential series of vertically projecting pins II'I, extending upwardly through bores I I8.

As shown in Figure 14, adjacent each bore I I8, a passage II9 may be formed, opening through the inner face of base plate I06 at its inner end and communicating at its outer end with the bore I I8 by an oblique passage I20, the last mentioned passage being blocked by the pin I I? when in its outermost position, as hereinafter explained.

' The sleeve II4 has a bifurcated lower end, between the legs I2I of which a cam following roller I 22 is mounted, upon a suitable pin I23. A compression spring I24, disposed within an internal chamber in the sleeve II4 and abutting against a shoulder on the stemIII constantly urges the sleeve H4 and the pin carrying plate downwardly, as shown at the top of Figure 12, and also in Figure 13 and 14. The several cam following rollersm are disposed in engagement with a cam I25, fast on the. forward end of the ring feed wheel supporting shaft 92.

The front face of the wheel may be. closed by a coverplate I26. A suction line. I21. may be connected to the hollow interior of the shaft 92 and to the interiorof the ring feed wheel, therebycontinuouslysubjecting the interior to a partial vacuum, the line I21 being in communication at its otherend with a suitable vacuum pump I128 as indicated in Figure 2a. Hence, when the pins- I-I-'I are in their lowered, full line position, as shown in Figure 14, suction may be communicated to the openings II8', through passages I20. and H9, to retain the rings Ill-l on their seats, as shown in Figure 13.

However, it has been found that this vacuum system for holding; the rings on the head is unnecessary. As pointed out below, the heads may be made of such a diameterthat the rings are stretched slightly when applied thereto, so that they do not tend to become dislodged; and suitable fixed guides may be employed to hold the rings on the heads, should they have. any tendency tobecome separated therefrom.

When each ring carrying head reaches its position in alignment with, and actually disposed within, a cap on the dial, as shown at the bottom of Figure 12 the cam followers I22 (Figure 11) engage a rise I-2-5c oncam I'll-5- whereby: the sleeves II4, plate I IG and pins III are projected outwardly, to block off the suction passage I20, if suction is used, and to project the rings into the associated caps. Since the rings have pre-.

viouslyhadadhesive applied to their outer surfaces, as hereinafter explained, they stick tothe cap bottoms and leave th ring handling heads.

The mechanism forsupporting the stack or column of rubber rings is shown most clearly in Figures 11, 12 16 and 17. Referring to Figures 1 11 and 12, the back plate I-6 of the main frame has bolted to its front iace a rectangular frame I30; within which the rear flanged portion I3-I of a bracket arm I 32 is adjustabl'ymounted, by a pluralityof bolts I33, extending through the rectangular frame, the bracket being firmly held in adjusted position by bolts I34, extending through enlarged openings 135 in the back plate I6 and threaded into tapped holes in the rear portion I-3'-I At its forward end, thebracket arm is connected integral-1y to an upright body portion' I36, having a laterally extending flange I31, terminating at its lower end in an arcuate flange I38, overlying the path of movement of the ring handling heads. The upper portion of" the body I36 has a-head I40 provided with a bore in which an upright rod- I4'-.I is disposed. The rod is restrained against rotation by a pin I42 riding in a slot I43, communicatingv with the-bore, The opposite fiaceof the head Hillv is bifurcated, to provide an upright way in which a slide I44: is mounted. At. its lower end, the slide I144? is guided between forwardly projecting portions I45, integral with the lower end". of: the body I36 of the bracket. Suitable plates I46, I46" retain the slide I44 in the upper and lower ways.

I-ntegrally attached to the slide I44 is a substantially semi-cylindrical stack supportin chute I41 (Figures 11 and 21) which may have a plurality of smallv spacer rods I48 welded; to its inner surface for making line contact withthe stack of rings. Projecting laterally from the, slide bar I44 is a U-shaped strap I49, having a pair of downturned ends I50, supporting, at their lower ends, aslottedplatform I-5 I (Figure 151 in the slots of. which, there are a. plurality of laterally extending blade members.- I; Pro.- jecting under the stack of. rin s. toward the semicylindrical chute I41, and terminating in close. proximity to, the same, as, shown in. Figures 16) and; 17.

when the stack support as a. whole is in the lower, ring delivery position, as shown in Figurev I6, the. blades are disposed to enter the slots H39. in the upper face of each ring, handling head, but when in the upper position, as shown in Figure 17:, their arcuate lower edges clear the, heads, so that the rings are supported above and out of contact. with the heads.

Secured to. the lower end of the. slide bar I (Figure 17). is a laterally projecting block I55, overlying a. cam sleeve,- 56,. fast; on a, shaft I51, journalled in the lower; end: of the body I33 or the bracket. The com sleeve has flats I58 and intermediate projections I58.

The. rod I:4I extends downwardly in the body of the bracket and its. lower end (Figure 17) engages the upper surface of block. I55, A compression spring- ISO (Figure 11), surroundingthe rod I41, bears against. the upper surface of a handle. I:6I, secured to the, rod and urges the rod downwardly, thereby urging the block I5I, the. slide. I44, and; the ring stacksupporting; as,- sembly in the same direction.-

In the normal, lower position of the stack supporting chute and blades, as shown in Figure 16, the ring handling heads successively pick off the lowermost ring supported on blades I5, and the stack drops down, by gravity, as each ringis removed;

The lowermost ring isnormally supported by the blades I52 with its upper surface slightly below the lower end edge of the chute I41. As each ring-receiving head moves. around in the clockwise direction, Figures 11 and 16, the grooves I09 receive the, blades I52 and. each head projectsupwardly a slight distance beyond. the upper surfaces of the blades adjacent their free ends, as shownin Figures 12, 13, and 136-. Hence, the leading end portion. of each head I'0 8,, between the grooves I109: will engage the inner circumference of the. lowermost ring and will; drag the ring forwardly below the edge of chute I41 and below the arcuate guide plate I38.v The heads I08 are of a diameter slightly in excess of the internal diameter of the rings, with, the results that the rings will be stretched; slightly; and forced onto the seats provided by the marginal portion of each head and the outer end; face of the cylindrical sleeve member I811;

' Hence, any possibilityof' the rings becoming dis,

lodged from the headsis eliminated by thisclose fit and by the arcuate guide. m;

Means areprovided for raising the column. oti stacks, to the inoperative position, as shown in Figure 1'7, if caps are not delivered to the maim dial; inposition to receivethe: rings.

Referring to Figures 1, 1 1, and: 20, an arm I165} projecting forwardly from the back plate I6: has a bifurcated front end, inwhich a shaft I661is journalled, having a laterallyprojecting portion surrounded by a torsion spring I61, connected to the shaft and arm respectively, tending to rotate the arm in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 20). The arm carries a depending; cap feeler or detector I68, having a lower" end; I63 providediwith,inclined-wings in the path offmovement of the caps. in the capsupporting, channels 40. AS lo as e an s pports have. ars.

s therein, the. detector I 68- is main a ned. in it 91 rearwardly disposed position, against the force of spring I66 as shown in full lines in Figure 20.

Should an empty cap holder move past the detector I 68, however, the same swings forwardly, to the dotted line position, Figure 20, where it engages a roller I18 on the actuating arm of a limit switch I1I to control a solenoid circuit, as hereinafter explained. The swinging movement of the detector arm in this direction, may be limited by an adjustable stop I12, carried by the switch supporting bracket I13, adjustably secured to a plate I14 carried by the front frame member I2.

Referring to Figures 12 and 16-19, the flange 9| of the ring fed wheel is provided with a circumferential shoulder adjacent its periphery, uponwhich is mounted a toothed ring I15, having a plurality of teeth I16 projecting outwardly therefrom and provided with step leading faces I11 and inclined trailing faces I18. The ring is mounted for adjustment by cap screws I19, disposed in elongated, arcuate slots I88, formed in the inner flange of the ring. Each tooth I16 is disposed in advance of one ring handling head, and serves to lift the column before its head reaches the ring pick-up position, if the associated cap holder, which would normally receive that ring, is empty, as determined by the detector I68.

The cam actuating shaft I51 (Figures 17 and 19) has a splined connection with the cam I58,

by means of a key I8I, sothat the shaft may have relative longitudinal movement with respect to the cam sleeve, and may also rotate the latter. At its forward end, the shaft is connected by a link I82 to a solenoid I83 (Figure 12) and at its other end is connected to a tension spring I84, having its opposite end connected to a bracket I85, secured to arm I32.

A collar I86, surrounding the rear, reduced end of the shaft I51 has a depending arm I81, normally disposed in alignment with the path of movement of the teeth I16, so that the teeth normally shift the arm to the raised position as shown in Figures 18 and 19, and as explained below. The sleeve I86 is rotatably mounted upon a hub I88 of a member keyed to the reduced end of the shaft I51 and having'an outwardly projecting annular portion I89, shaped to provide a depending finger I98 and gear teeth I9I in mesh with an idler gear I92 journalled on astud I93 carried by bracket I 36. The gear I92 meshes with a second gear I94 similarly journalled on a stud I95. The second gear I94, in turn, meshes with gear I98 integral with andp-rojecting outwardly from the sleeve I86. v I

Hence, when the parts are in the position shown in Figuresl8 and 19, with the arm I81 in the raised position, the gear I98 will have "been rotated counterclockwise, thereby rotating the idler gear I92 clockwise and the gear I9I counterclockwise, swinging the arm I98 downwardly and rotating the cam shaft I51 and the cam I58 counterclockwise, to bring the fiat I58 into supporting relation to the block I65, to lower the'stack support to the operative position.

In the event that a cap is absent from one of the cap supporting channels 48, the detector I68 swings toward the right (Figure 20) and opens the switch I1I thereby de-energizing the solenoid I83. Spring I84 then pulls the shaft I51 toward the left (Figures 12 and 19) bringing the lift arm I98 into the path of movement of the teeth I16, and moving 'the lowering arms I81 rearwa'rdly behind the pathof movement of, the, teeth. The

first tooth I16 then engages the depending arm I98, swinging it and the sleeve I88 in a clockwise direction. This rotates the shaft I51 and cam I56, since they are keyed together, thereby bringing the rise I59 of the cam into supporting relation with the block I55, as shown in Figure 17, to lift the stack support to the inoperative position where the heads clear the innermost ring. During this movement of the arm I98, the gear I92 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, rotating the gear I98 clockwise, with the result that the latter rotates the sleeve I86 counterclockwise, to lower the arm I81 into a position to be raised, subsequently, when the solenoid is again energized the arm I81 is shifted into the path of movement of the teeth I16.

A modified mechanism for controlling the delivery of rings to the ring transfer wheel, in accordance with the presence or absence of caps on the main dial, is shown in Figures 36-38, and in which a mechanical linkage system is substituted for the solenoid, the solenoid controlling switch and the electric circuit interconnecting the two.

The detector arm I68 may be the same as previously described, carried by a spring loaded shaft I66, mounted in a forwardly projecting, bifurcated arm I65a, forming the lower portion of a bracket 288, secured to the rear frame plate I6 and having an upper, forwardly projecting bifurcated arm 28I, in which a second rock shaft 282 is journalled. The shaft I66 and 282 carry rearwardly projecting arms 283 and 284, respectively, interconnected by a link 285, extending through aligned apertures in their rear ends. A coil compression spring 286 surrounding the lower portion of link 285 isinterposed between the upper face of arm 283 and a collar 281, fast on the rod. The upper rock shaft 262 extends laterally behind the lower, arcuate end flange I38 of the ring stack supporting bracket and, on its free end carries a collar 288 having an arm 289 projecting upwardly therefrom, on the outer end of which is a fork 2I8, carrying inwardly projecting pins 2H, disposed in a circumferential groove M2 in the end of the cam supporting shaft I51a, similar in general structure and function to the shaft I51, previously described. Thus, the yoke 2 I8 controls the axial position of the shaft I51a which has the'collars I88aand IBM mounted thereon, each having formed integrally therewith arms 598a and Him, together with gear teeth, as previously described, meshing with idler gears I 92a and I94a.

As shown in Figures 36-38, the parts are in the normal, operative position, and the ring stack support is lowered. If a cap is missing from the holder, the arm I68 swings to the right (Figure 37), drawing the rod 285 and the upper arm 284 downwardly and rotating the rock shaft 282 in a counterclockwise direction (Figures 37 and 38). This rotation swings the arm 289 and the yoke 2I8 rearwardly in Figure 36 and to the left in Figure 38, thereby drawing the shaft I51a to the left and bringing the lifter arm I98a into the path of movement of the teeth I16, so that the cam is shifted, as previously described, to raise the ring stack supporting platform and chute. As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the supporting bracket 288 carries a solenoid I91, the armature of which is connected to a rod I98 mounted for vertical movement in apertured lugs I99. A forwardly projecting foot 2 I3 has an aperture surrounding rod 285 and an end overlying the collar 281. When the solenoid is energized the parts are raised, as shown, but are urged downwardly againstthe pull of the solenoid by a tension spring 214, which is of greater strength than the compression spring ZUfireferred to above. Thus, when the solenoid i91 is de-energized, the arm 213 is drawn downwardly by the spring :2 and the rod 205 is also-depressed, by compression of the spring 208 and by movement of the lower end of the rod 225 in the aperture in the arm 203. As a consequence, the ring feed chute and associated parts are raised, to prevent the delivery of rings to the ring carrying head, regardless of the presence or absence of caps in position to receive the rings. In other wordsrings can be delivered to the heads only when the solenoid I91 is energized.

As mentioned previously, adhesive is applied to the outer surfaces of the rings carried by the ring handling heads, during their path of movement from the stack support to their position .in registry with the caps, where the rings are deposited. The glue-applying assembly and the drive therefor are shown in Figures 1, 2, 2a, .11, and 31-33. vA supporting bracket 215 (Figures 31 and 32) having a rear face '2 l5 secured to the back mainframe plate :IB projects forwardly into a position ahead of the ring transfer wheel 9|, considered from the point of view of the direction of rotation of the main dial. The forward end of the bracket 215 .is shaped to provide a pair of slideways 211 and 21B, upon which the lateral edges 21 9 :and 220 of a glue pot base member 221 are slidably mounted, the base being retained by overlying strips .222 and 2.23. The bracket 2!?) has a laterally projecting [enlargement 224, bored to receive a depending stop pin 225 and the spindle 225 of a locking cam or eccentric 221, havinga handle r228 pinned on the lower, reduced end 229 of the spindle. The locking cam 221 enters a cutaway portion the adjacent, upstanding edge of the bracket 215 and engages the edge face of the portion 22 0 of base 221, to lock the same in adjusted position on the slideways.

The base 22! is shaped "to provide a plurality of upstanding lugs 230, to which are secured flexible metal plates 23'! and .232, bolted at their upper ends to appropriate flats formed on the surface of a glue pot 233 so that the pot may have limited relative lateral movement with respect to the base, by flexing of the supporting plates.

The glue pot includes a bottom having an upwardly projecting curved 'lip portion 234, projecting toward the ring transfer wheel anda rearwardly enlarged reservoir 235, defined by a rear wall 235, and side walls 231 and 238. The side walls have apertured bosses 239 and 240, in which bushings for a roll shaft 241 are disposed. The shaft carries, at its forward end, ahand 'wheel 242 and, at its rear end a coupling 243, connected to driving means hereinafter described. Intermediate its ends, the glue applying roll 244 is mounted, in position to dip into the glue 246 in the pot. The roll, which may be made of metal, rubber, or any suitable material, preferably has a centrally positioned, circumferential groove 241, in which the upper end of e, finger 248 is received, the finger being supported at its lower end by suitable clips mounted on the base 22L The finger, riding in the circumferential slot prevents th rings on the heads from adhering to the roll and being picked off from the heads.

The glue roll 245 on both sides of the central, deep groove 241 is provided with a plurality of parallel, relatively shallow grooves which pick up glue during travel through the body 246 in the pot. Mounted upon a pin 250, carried by the walls of the pot .is a wiper :blade 251 which wipes off the excess from the surface of the roll and leaves the grooves with an accurately predetermined amount of glue therein, for transfer to the rings. The wiper blade 251 is urged downwardly by a screw 25.2., carried by a plate 253, projecting forwardly toward the transfer dial from a rear portion of the glue pot.

The base 22] has one .or more upstanding intermediate iugs 253, provided with a tapped bore in which a set screw 225 is threaded, with its front end in engagement with a depending lug 256 on the undersurface of the glue pot. Hence, the pot may be moved forwardly toward the ring transfer wheel to apply the desired pressure from the wheelto the rings on the ring handling heads, movement of the pot being permitted as noted above by flexing of "the supporting plates 25 I.

The pot, adjacent its upper, rear end, is provided a pair of rearwardly projecting, clamping arms or lugs 251, adapted to be drawn together by a clamping belt .258, to engage a glue supply pipe 259, terminating at its lower end near the bottom of the pot and having a funnell'i-keiupper end 250, constituting a seat for a valve 261, movable vertically in the lower end of a glue iecept'acle .262, under the control of an adjusting screw 263. Thus, the delivery 'of glue to the pot from the receptacle may be accurately controlled. i m overflow pipe 254, near the bottom of the glue pot prevents the level of the glue therein from rising above the upper edge of the lip23'4.

.As shown in Figure 31, the frame strip 1 I0 has welded to its "rear face an arcuate mounting plate 255, to the rear face of which is bolted a bearing housing 2'66, in which a drive shaft 251 IS journalled. On the forward end of the shaft 251, the hub 28 8 of an overrunning clutch is keyed, the hub having a plurality of ratchets 269 (Figure 33). A plurality of pawls 210, pivoted on pins 211 carried 'by parallel clutch face plates 212 are urged into contact with the ratchet, by springs 213, having their outer ends disposed in grooves cut in the inner face of a pinion 214, the pinion being secured to the face plates 212 by bolts 215.

Pinion 214 is in mesh with the gear 96 fast on the ring transfer wheel and which is rotated by the large internal ring gear 3| carried by the main dial. 'In the normal operation of the machine, rotation is imparted to the gear 214 by the main driving pinion, described below, so that the pawls 210, in engagement with the ratchets 269 rotate the shaft 261 in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 33) The hub 263 of the overrunning clutch has, on its forward end, a shaft extension 216, connected, by a flexible coupling 211 and an intermediate sleeve 218 to the coupling member 243 on the roll shaft 241. Hence, rotationis imparted by the gear 214 to the glue roll 244, in .a countel-clockwise direction, Figure 32, at the same peripheral speed as the heads on the ring transfer'wheel.

A highly desirable feature of the present invention is the provision of means for continuing the rotation of the glue roll in the pot, in the event that the machine is stopped forany reason, such as for repairs or adjustment. Upon the rear, left-hand, reduced end 280 of shaft 261 is keyed a hub 281 of a second overrunning clutch, including an outer sleeve "282, a ball bearing assembly 2 83 and an overrunning roller connection 284, the end of the sleeve being supportedon the shaft by a ball bearing assembly 285. A sprocket wheel 286 is bolted to the inner face of a cap 281 for the clutch assembly. A chain 288 trained about the sprocket 285 derives rotation from a sprocket 289 (Figure 2a) associated-with a speed reducer 290, driven by an electric motor 29!, mounted upon the rear face of the main frame, in such manner that the shaft 231 (Figure 31) is driven in the normal direction, but at a slower rate. Hence, when rotation of the gear 214 is arrested, the shaft 24I continues to rotate relative thereto, as permitted by the first overrunning clutch (Figure 33) to rotate the roll and to prevent the adhesive from hardening on the surface thereof, or in the pot, or elsewhere.

Referring to Figures 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 1'7, and 32, it will be noted that the outer face of each ring transfer head is disposed on a cylindrical surface, concentric with the axis of rotation of the ring transfer wheel and that the rings are held on the marginal portion thereof, bent to lie on a similar surface, being held down by the suction applied to their undersurfaces from the bores I I8, if the vacuum system described above is used. In such a case, as the heads approach the glue applying roller 244 (Figure 11) the cam following rollers I22 drop down into a depression I251) on the surface of the cam I25, thereby withdrawing the pins H1 (Figure 14) inwardly, even more than is shown, to increase the suction pull on the rings on the heads, to eliminate any tendency of the rings to stick to the glue rolls, as they make tangential rolling contact with the surface of the roll. However, the blade 248 (Figure 32) has been found quite efiicient in preventing dislodgement of the rings from the heads, and the use of. suction has been eliminated in many cases. After the heads leave the glue applying position, the rollers may move outwardly onto the somewhat raised surface of the cam, as indicated at I250, until the rise I 25a is encountered, at which point the suction is cut off (if used at all) and the pins I I1 are projected outwardly, to deposit the rings in the caps, as explained above.

Substantially midway in its axial length, the main dial 25 supports a circumferential series of heat and pressure applying assemblies 300, which receive the assembled caps and rings, to dry the adhesive while the rings are subjected to substantial pressure.

Referring to Figures 2226, each pressing assembly comprises a base casting 30! straddling the associated cap receiving channel member 40 and having spaced apart, depending legs 302 and 304 secured to the upstanding flanges 42 and 43 thereof. Upon each base member 30| there is mounted an upstanding cylindrical housing 305, having a central bore, in which a sleeve 306 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement. Upon the lower, reduced end of the sleeve 306 there is mounted, by means of a screw 301, a presser head 308, with a spacer sleeve 309 interposed between its upper surface and a shoulder 310 on the sleeve 303. The spacer sleeve 309 has a pair of outwardly projecting trunnions 3 II and 3I2 adjacent its upper end, upon which cam following rollers 3I3 and 3| 4 are journalled.

The cylindrical housing 305 is closed at its upper end by a cap 3 I 5, having a depending guide boss 316, in which a threaded pin 3|1 is disposed. A compression spring 3l8 is interposed between the lower surface of the boss 310 and the upper surface of the screw 301, in encircling relation to the lower end of pin 311 and a similar pin 3I9 carried by the screw 301.

The lower face of the head 308 has a downwardly projecting annular rib 320 shaped to register with the ring gaskets in the caps, to apply pressure thereto.

It will be understood that the compression spring 3l8 urges the sleeves 306 and 309 and the head 30B downwardly. The head and the sleeves are raised by engagement of the rearwardly projecting cam following roller 3M with a fixed cam 32l as shown in Figure 23. The other roller 313, disposed in the vertical slot 322 in the housing 305 acts as a guide roller and, in cooperation with the roller 3I4, disposed in slot 323, prevents rotation of the sleeve and resists turning forces applied thereto by impact of the cam following roll with the end 324 of cam 32I. Referring to Figures 1 and 12, the cam 32I is supported by a bracket 325, having an upwardly projecting flange 320 secured to the main back plate IS. The cam is positioned with its forward end 324 (Figure 22), ahead of the ring transfer wheel, so that as the pressing assemblies move adjacent and beyond the point of insertion of the ring into the caps, the heads are raised as shown in Figure 23.

At a point just beyond the ring transfer wheel, there is an upstanding bracket 321 (Figure 11), carried by the front frame member I2, carrying at its upper end a cap transfer plate 328 (Figure 23) in adjustable relation, by means of cap screws 330, disposed in elongated slots 33 I. As shown in Figure 28, the plate 328 has an angularly disposed inner edge 332, arranged to engage the beaded edge of each cap, to shift the same inwardly in its cap supporting channel, into a position directly beneath the associated pressure applying assembly. The transfer plate is preferably overlaid by an upper, hold-down plate 329. After the assemblies and the caps depart from the position of the plates 328 and 329 the cam following rollers ride down the inclined end 334 of the cam 32 I, whereupon the heads 308 enter the caps and apply pressure to the rings.

As most clearly shown in Figures 7, l2, 3, and 24, heat is applied by means of electrical heating elements 335 to dry or otherwise set the adhesive between the rings and the inner surfaces of the closures, while subject to the pressure of the heads 308. The elements 335 are secured to the undersurfaces of the cap supporting channel members 40, directly below the positions of the pressure applying assemblies. Each heating unit has a pair of electrical binding posts 336 and 331, connected by wires 338 and 339 to one pair of the binding posts 31 and 38 or 31 and. 36, in electrical connection with the rings 32, 33, and 34. Preferably a three-wire system is used, with certain of the heating elements connected to the center wire, represented by rail 33 and one side rail 34, and the others connected to the center rail 33 and the other side rail 32. Thus, the heating units 335 transfer heat to the caps and the adhesive coating through the bottoms of the cap receiving channels 40, to set the adhesive during the travel of the caps around the path of movement of the dial through substantially 360.

Current is delivered to the rails 32, 33, and 34 by the brush mechanism shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9, comprising a block of insulating material 340 secured by a plurality of cap screws 34I to angle clips 342 mounted on the inner surfaces of housing plates 343 and 344, forming a part of the main, stationary annular frame. The insulating block 340 carries three binding posts 345, 346, 341, to which the three wires (not shown) leading from a suitable source of current may be connected. Brushes" 348,- 349 and 

